Former Nickelodeon Star drake Bell Makes First argentina Visit Amidst Career Reinvention
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA – Drake Bell, the actor and musician best known for his role in the hit Nickelodeon series Drake & Josh, has arrived in Argentina for his first-ever performances in the country, marking a meaningful moment in his career as he connects with a devoted Latin American fanbase and embarks on a new musical direction. The visit comes after Bell publicly denounced past abuse, a step he’s taken as he reclaims his artistic voice.
Bell, who starred alongside Josh Peck in Drake & Josh from 2004 to 2007, has cultivated a massive following in Latin America, where audiences enthusiastically embrace his music. “In the United States I was doing well, yes, but in Latin America I did shows for thousands of people who knew the lyrics to all my songs. This is how this incredible connection occurred,this kind of love story that grew over the years,” Bell explained in a recent interview.He emphasized the importance of this connection, stating, “Drake y Josh It’s great, but at the end of the day, my music is what I write, it’s my own words, my art.”
His latest album represents a departure from his previous work,featuring collaborations with Latin artists like Kevin Roldán,adriel Favela,and Octavio Cuadras. While acknowledging potential reactions from fans in the US and elsewhere – “fans might say, ‘Why are you changing your sound? This isn’t what I’m used to hearing from you'” – Bell highlighted the supportive nature of his Latin American audience. “The fans in Latin America love to hear new sounds and they really allow me to be the artist I want to be.”
Bell’s musical influences are rooted in classic rock, citing The Beatles as “the best band of all time” and The Beach Boys as a major inspiration, alongside composer Rufus Wainwright. He even revealed that his signature haircut was directly inspired by the Beatles, explaining, “When I was in Drake y Josh I just wanted to look like them.”
Recent appearances with his former Drake & Josh co-stars, Josh Peck, Nancy Sullivan, and Jonathan goldstein, have been warmly received. Bell described the reunions as “incredible,” adding, “We were like a family and we all stayed in touch over the years, so it was really nice to have these events where we got together and felt like we were going back in time.” He expressed amazement at the show’s lasting impact, stating, “It’s also incredible that our program has had such a huge impact on people and it’s something that I find simply incredible and amazing every day.”
Bell also addressed past reports of a strained relationship with Peck, characterizing it as a typical familial dynamic.”It’s like your own family, sometimes you’re so excited to see them and other times you think, ‘Oh my God, can you please stop with that?’ But then, if another person insults your brother, you say: ‘Hey, you can’t say that! Only I can say it.'” He affirmed their close bond, noting they now share advice as fellow parents.
Despite his focus on music and touring,Bell intends to return to acting. “Yes, I’m definitely going to do some of that as soon as I can. Music and touring take up a lot of time, but as soon as this calms down, I have some projects I’m going to get going. It’s time to go back.”
